Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A One-of-a Lifetime Experience Past Review

By (Marine Sciences, High School) - abroad from 06/26/2018 to 07/07/2017 with

Broadreach: Program at Sea - Caribbean Marine Biology 12-Day Adventure

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned that you can make a difference no matter where you are, and that we have a huge ability to change the way that the world is right now.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Most of the learning that we did was hands on and underwater. The instructors did a really good job of getting everyone engaged in what they were learning and making little experiences educational. Whether it was learning about the different fish that came near the boat while we were washing dishes or having a quick lesson on a coral we saw on our previous dive, there was always something new to discover. There weren't many structured marine biology lessons, but in my opinion learning about the things we had seen and experienced was more valuable than a pre-planned lesson.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

It was amazing to live on a boat for 12 days. It's such a unique experience and it made me feel more in-touch with nature and the ocean during the trip. There were cabins downstairs, but everyone slept up on the deck under the stars. Each morning we woke up to the Caribbean sun shining on our faces and sometimes hearing goats on the islands we were near.

* Food:

The food was simple, since we were on a boat, so it was a lot of boxed pastas, sandwiches, and other non-perishable things.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I couldn't really judge this because we lived on the boat and only went ashore a few times, but when we did they made sure that we respected the local culture and were safe.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

The instructors were so cautious and made sure we stayed safe. After each dive they made sure we rinsed out our ears, and kept on top of us for our sunscreen usage. They were also super careful with issues (like sore ears, etc.) that could affect you on dives and made sure that everyone's equipment was checked before each dive.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I really enjoyed this program. It involved hands on, educational experiences, team-building exercises, and recreational/leisure time. The days were spent scuba diving, learning, and just having fun. Everyday we got to increase our scuba skills, spend time with friends, and have time for yourself to do something, from yoga to snorkeling to jumping off the back of the boat. I learned so much about the ocean and our impact on it, and I had so many good experiences, like snorkeling with a sea turtle and sailing with a pod of dolphins. Overall, this was an amazing trip and I definitely recommend it.

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you live with?

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  • Other
* Who did you take classes with?

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  • Other
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Practically living in the ocean for 12 days (everyday you would wake up and spend the entire day in a bathing suit, in and out of the water.)
  • Scuba diving
* What could be improved?
  • Food
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Not to be nervous about not knowing anyone at the beginning of the trip.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.